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Board and batten siding refers to the look and style of the installation rather than the material itself. You can install board and batten siding whether you choose vinyl, wood, fiber cement, or metal as your material. Among other popular siding styles to consider are clapboard siding, stucco, shake siding, and log cabin siding. Stone, stone veneer, brick, and brick veneer are considered high-end alternatives that can help maximize ROI and curb appeal.

Generally speaking, the thicker the siding, the higher the quality. Thicker siding provides a stronger resistance against extreme weather conditions. Thicker siding also tends to fade more slowly under the sun. Hardie boards, a popular fiber cement siding option, is usually 5/16 inches thick. Meanwhile, masonry-finished cement siding varies from 5/8 to 5/8 inches thick.

Many people remove aluminum siding to get to the wood underneath, allowing them to paint, stain, or finish the wood to give the home a brand-new aesthetic. With that in mind, you find plywood and related types of wood underneath aluminum siding, but you also run into fiber cement board, strand board, and a diverse array of other building materials. It depends on the original design of the house. 

You should plan to stain or refinish your home's cedar siding every three to seven years to maintain its appearance and provide maximum protection, though some estimates suggest a range of four to six years. The exact frequency depends on several factors, including your local climate, exposure to severe weather like direct sunlight, rain, and wind, the quality of the initial stain application, the type of stain used, and the overall condition and quality of the wood.

For homes in harsh climates with high humidity and significant sun exposure, you should plan on staining as often as every three years, while those in milder locations may only need to do so every seven years. For the longest-lasting protection in particularly harsh climates, consider using an opaque stain.

If you are looking for a lower-maintenance alternative, you might consider vinyl or aluminum siding. While the initial installation cost can be higher, they do not require as much upkeep and can offer more value over time, especially in areas with excessive rainfall or high humidity.